The eLearning market is fast growing. Recent events have placed a stronger emphasis on remote training and education. Businesses that do not offer an online component in their training programs are putting themselves at risk. A good LMS can also work as a selling point for recruitment.
The easiest way to find an LMS is through an online service like Finances Online. Senior Living Directory is an example of an organization that used an online service to find a replacement LMS that better suited their needs.
As the industry builds momentum, more platforms have appeared or been improved to bring users better features and functionality. That means that the old LMS you used years ago may not be the best solution available right now.
According to a Docebo eLearning trends report, approximately 23% of companies use the same LMS that they have had for the past five years. This number likely includes companies that aren’t paying attention to what’s out there in 2022.
Meanwhile, a Brandon Hall Group market trends report found that 44% of companies were dissatisfied with their current LMS.
If you want your workforce to gain an edge, you need to give them the tools they need to become highly-skilled, experienced employees. That begins with training.
Moving to a new learning management system is a daunting task, but it could be the advantage your team needs to surpass your closest competition. What can you do to streamline the move to a new eLearning platform?
Make Sure the Whole Team is On Board
The success of a new LMS will hinge on whether your team is interested in learning the new technology. You need everyone on board to get the best results.
Begin at the top by presenting executives and higher-ranking employees with information on what the LMS can do and how it will benefit the company. You should draw connections between those benefits and how they further your mission and align with your corporate culture.
Getting everyone excited and sharing information will make the transition smoother. It will also help employees see why the new system is an improvement and set them up to get better results when they use it. A positive attitude goes a long way when adapting to change in the workplace.
Start Promoting the New LMS Early
You should never blindside your team with a sudden change in LMS. You should begin promoting early and do so often. Get your team excited about the new features and capabilities of the LMS. This also gives them a chance to learn more before being thrown into a new learning environment.
Also, make sure all employees are aware of upcoming training classes to learn the new system. The better they understand it, the better equipped they will be to get the most out of it.
Engagement is an important part of job satisfaction. By sharing information and promoting the new LMS, you are creating more reasons for employees to engage.
Look for Platforms that Integrate
Many businesses utilize multiple apps to do different things. When searching for a new LMS, look for platforms that can consolidate some of these tasks. Using fewer apps will help streamline the average workday.
If you plan to keep some or all your third-party apps, then make sure your LMS integrates with them. This will ensure that all platforms have access to the same data and can work as efficiently as possible.
Some developers offer out-of-the-box integration with many popular apps. Others may provide additional services to connect your apps to the new LMS. This usually comes at a cost, so you will have to decide which approach will work better for your business.
Build a Change Management Plan
If your business is facing a major change, then you need a change management plan. This gives you a chance to lay the groundwork for success. It should outline communication, the process, and support. It should also list the key people who will help push the transition throughout your organization.
According to Forbes, around 70% of organizational change initiatives fail. This can be due to a weak culture, mission misalignment, lack of buy-in, poor vision, or lack of resources. Building a change management plan lets a business cover all these areas before putting the plan into motion. It’s an opportunity to look for potential problems and fix them before it is too late.
Having a change management plan can also inspire confidence in employees, customers, and stakeholders.
Take the Time to Learn the New LMS
No matter how user-friendly an LMS may be, there is going to be a learning period required to get used to it. For some, this may mean longing for the old system that felt so familiar, even if it wasn’t the most efficient way.
Remember to give yourself and your employees time to adapt to the new learning environment. Be patient and provide as much support as possible. Eventually, the new interface and features will begin to feel normal, but until then, more time may be needed to get acquainted.
This is especially true if your new LMS is more advanced than your previous platform. More features are great, but they will require more time to learn to navigate – and that is ok. It is part of the process and should be considered during the transition.
Focus On and Share All of the Gains
When you first suggest the idea of a new LMS to your team, most executives want to know the financial benefits of making the switch. This is important, but don’t forget to share the other types of gains that come with the new platform.
Along with financial savings, the system may free up more time in the average employee’s day. It can also provide valuable insight with more reliable information that’s available in real-time. This data could help your company make better decisions moving forward.
There are also the human gains. Team members will be happier with a platform that is more efficient, user-friendly, and overall better. This will lead to happier clients. Both will increase sales and improve employee retention rates.
Highlight the gains when discussing the LMS with your team to help everyone see how the change will benefit all areas within the organization – not just the company coffers.
Lean into Bulk Import and Automation
Bulk import features will cut down on the time it takes to move data into the new LMS. Use this as much as you reasonably can. Remember to spot-check to ensure that nothing goes wrong when transitioning from one platform to another.
You may find that your new LMS has more automation than the previous platform. Now is a good time to get acquainted with these features. Setting them up now will help you get the best value out of your LMS investment. Let the system do more of the back-end work so that employees can spend more time on productivity.
Common automation features include generating reports, sending reminders and notifications, creating user groups, learning path enrollment, and recurring certifications.
Give Every User Access to Support
Everyone should know where to go when they have questions about the new LMS. Some platforms include searchable knowledgebases and Wikis. Make sure your employees are aware of these resources. It is better if they can find answers themselves rather than interrupt someone else.
Easy access to instructions and information will help build confidence. Employees can use self-serve features for basic questions. These resources should remain available for new hires and to serve as a quick reference for seasoned employees.
A new LMS can mean positive change within an organization. Give your team the best chance at success by taking steps to ease into a better online learning environment.
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